Lafayette School Board Proposes Limiting Public Comment at Controversial School Closure Meeting

In anticipation of significant public opposition to proposed school closures and consolidations, the Lafayette Parish School Board is considering measures to limit public comment during its upcoming meeting on Wednesday (Nov. 20). The board will vote on a proposal to reduce individual speaking time from three minutes to two and cap the total public comment period to one hour per agenda item.

The meeting's agenda includes the District Optimization Plan, developed by Civic Solutions Group, an external consulting firm. The plan recommends extensive changes, including the closure of several schools, program relocations, and student rezoning, aiming to address declining enrollment and budget constraints.

Notable proposals involve closing Comeaux High School, repurposing its campus, and consolidating middle schools. If fully implemented, these measures could save the district approximately $8 million annually.

Many community members have vehemently opposed the proposed closures and consolidations, voicing concerns about their impact on students and neighborhoods. The board's proposal to limit public comment has only fueled these concerns, with some residents perceiving it as an attempt to expedite decisions without adequate community input.

The board's press release outlines procedures to manage the expected high turnout, including limited seating, a ticketing system, and overflow viewing areas. Public comment, if restricted as proposed, will prohibit questions to board members and comments on specific employees’ performance.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM at the LPSS district office on Rue Iberville. Residents planning to attend are encouraged to arrive early due to seating limitations. The meeting agenda and guidelines are available on the Lafayette Parish School System's website.

This most recent development follows a meeting earlier this year, where extended public comment periods allowed families to express their concerns regarding the elimination of programs at Paul Breaux and Cpl. Michael Middlebrook schools. Even after lengthy discussions and heartfelt pleas, the board approved the contentious measures, revealing an uneasy tension between the board's decisions and community concerns.

As the board prepares to make critical decisions about the district's future, many people feel that while the data is important, the board should consider more than just cost savings. They believe an outside firm won't fully understand our community, its unique characteristics, or what got us here in the first place.

Feedback has been mixed—some people support the closures, while others are indifferent. It’s clear that this issue involves more than just numbers; the input from our community is crucial in shaping what happens next, regardless of how the board decides to vote.